Natural Looking Dental Implants
People considering dental implants to replace missing teeth may be concerned if their new teeth will feel and look natural. In almost all cases, the answer is a definitive yes. Designed to feel and look like natural teeth, dental implants are by far the most natural-looking option when compared to other restorations like bridges or dentures.
While dentures or bridges may be suitable for some patients, many find these restorations to be uncomfortable to wear and aesthetically unpleasing. Dental implants avoid these drawbacks so this article will highlight some of their features that make them superior restoration options for edentulous patients.
Dental Implant Overview
Whether from disease, injury, trauma, or extraction, there are many reasons why teeth become lost. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding gum and bone tissues are negatively impacted due to a lack of tooth roots. With dental implants, metal posts that are surgically imbedded into the patient’s jawbone serve as replacement roots. The metal posts create a sturdy foundation upon which an abutment (connector) and replacement crown or prosthesis are eventually mounted.
After the implants are placed, a number of months healing time is needed during which, a process known as osseointegration occurs. During osseointegration, the implants fuse with the jawbone creating a strong restoration that can last the patient’s lifetime. While healing from surgery, a temporary denture will be worn until receiving the permanent prosthesis.
Do Dental Implants Feel and Look Natural?
The appearance and functionality of dental implants are superior to dental bridges or conventional dentures. Two reasons why dental implants function and look more like natural teeth include:
Below the Gumline: Because conventional dentures rest on the patient’s gums, they are prone to shifting which can be uncomfortable for the wearer. Additionally, dentures often look bulky, unnatural, and can negatively affect facial features over time. Like natural tooth roots, dental implants lie completely underneath the gumline out of sight. Because dental implants blend seamlessly in the mouth, nobody will know by looking that the tooth has been replaced.
Custom Materials: The replacement prosthesis that gets mounted on the dental implant can be made out of several materials. Porcelain, ceramic, gold zirconia, and other alloys can all be used but the material choice will impact both aesthetics and longevity of the device. If appearance is the primary concern, patients may find that ceramic or porcelain implant crowns are the most visually pleasing since these materials are not shiny like the metal options.
Dental Implants: Other Benefits
While superior in their natural appearance and feel, dental implants offer a number of other benefits traditional dentures or dental bridges do not:
- Durability: Materials used in dental implants are durable and built to last many years. With proper maintenance, dental implants can last the patient’s life.
- Convenience: Because implants are permanently fixed in place, some patients may find a restoration that does not need to be removed for cleaning to be preferable.
- Oral Health Improvements: Dental implants do not require alteration of adjacent teeth making cleaning easier and can improve the patient’s oral health.